PARMESAN ZUCCHINI FRIES EASY RECIPE

Craving something crispy, cheesy, and secretly healthy? These Parmesan Zucchini Fries deliver on all fronts, offering a satisfying crunch with a tender zucchini center, all coated in savory Parmesan goodness. This recipe will show you how to transform simple zucchini into an irresistible snack or side dish that even the pickiest eaters will adore, and I promise, you’ll be making them again and again!

Ingredients

For the Zucchini Fries:

• 2 medium zucchini, cut into fries
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Olive oil spray

Optional Dipping Sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Pinch of garlic powder

Let’s Gather Our Tools

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s make sure we have everything we need. Having your tools and ingredients prepped will make the process smoother and more enjoyable.

• 3 shallow dishes or plates for breading
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper (optional, but recommended for easy cleanup)
• Whisk
• Knife and cutting board

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepping the Zucchini:

1. Wash and dry the zucchini thoroughly.
2. Trim off the ends of the zucchini.
3. Cut the zucchini into fry-shaped pieces, about 3-4 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. Try to make them relatively uniform for even cooking.

Setting Up the Breading Station:

1. In the first shallow dish, place the flour.
2. In the second shallow dish, place the beaten eggs.
3. In the third shallow dish, combine the Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

Breading the Zucchini Fries:

1. Take a zucchini fry and dredge it in the flour, making sure to coat all sides. Shake off any excess flour.
2. Dip the floured zucchini fry into the beaten eggs, again coating all sides. Let any excess egg drip off.
3. Finally, press the zucchini fry into the Parmesan cheese mixture, ensuring it’s completely coated with the cheesy breadcrumb mixture.
4. Place the breaded zucchini fry on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 for all the zucchini fries.

Baking the Zucchini Fries:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Lightly spray the breaded zucchini fries with olive oil spray. This will help them get nice and crispy.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the zucchini fries are golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning, as baking times can vary depending on your oven.

Making the Optional Dipping Sauce:

1. While the zucchini fries are baking, prepare the dipping sauce (if using).
2. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, paprika, and garlic powder. Mix well.
3. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Serving:

1. Remove the zucchini fries from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
2. Serve immediately with the dipping sauce (if desired).
3. Enjoy!

Troubleshooting Tips & Tricks

Sometimes, even with the best intentions, things don’t go exactly as planned. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:

• Soggy Fries: Make sure you’re not overcrowding the baking sheet. Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of baking. Also, be sure to shake off excess flour and egg before breading. If your zucchini is particularly watery, you can salt the fries before breading and let them sit for 10 minutes, then pat them dry with paper towels.
• Breading Not Sticking: Ensure the zucchini fries are completely dry before starting the breading process. The flour acts as a binder, so make sure you’re coating them evenly. Press the breadcrumbs firmly onto the zucchini.
• Burnt Fries: Ovens can vary! If your fries are browning too quickly, lower the oven temperature slightly or shorten the baking time.
• Fries Not Crispy Enough: The olive oil spray is key! Don’t skip it. You can also try broiling them for the last minute or two, but watch them very closely to prevent burning.

Variations to Spice Things Up

This recipe is a great starting point, but feel free to customize it to your liking!

• Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture for a little heat.
• Different Cheeses: Experiment with different cheeses, such as Pecorino Romano or Asiago.
• Herb Garden: Add fresh herbs like chopped parsley, basil, or oregano to the breadcrumb mixture.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
• Air Fryer Version: For an even crispier result, try cooking these in an air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Serving Suggestions: What to Serve With Your Fries

These Parmesan Zucchini Fries are incredibly versatile and can be served as a snack, appetizer, or side dish.

• As a Snack: Enjoy them on their own with your favorite dipping sauce.
• As an Appetizer: Serve them at your next party or gathering.
• As a Side Dish: Pair them with burgers, sandwiches, grilled chicken, or fish.

Other Zucchini Recipes to Explore

If you’re swimming in zucchini and looking for more ways to use it, here are a few other recipes you might enjoy:

• Try Roasted Parmesan Zucchini for a simple and flavorful side dish.
• For a healthier option, check out Baked Parmesan Zucchini.
• Get super crispy results with Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini.
• You might also like these Crispy Parmesan Zucchini Fries.
• If you’re looking for a quick and easy side, Sautéed Zucchini is a perfect choice.
• Another great option for crispy fries is Crispy Baked Zucchini Fries.

Storing Leftovers (If There Are Any!)

While these Parmesan Zucchini Fries are best enjoyed fresh, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that they will lose some of their crispiness as they sit.

Reheating Instructions:

• Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and reheat the fries for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through.
• Air Fryer: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
• Microwave: While not recommended for crispiness, you can microwave them for 30-60 seconds, but they will be soft.

Final Thoughts: Crispy, Cheesy, and Delicious!

These Parmesan Zucchini Fries are a game-changer! They’re a delicious and healthy way to enjoy zucchini, and they’re sure to become a family favorite. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different variations and find your perfect combination. Happy cooking!

Parmesan Zucchini Fries

Amelia Chen-Morrison

These Parmesan Zucchini Fries are a crispy, cheesy, and secretly healthy snack or side dish. Tender zucchini sticks are coated in a savory Parmesan breadcrumb mixture and baked to golden perfection. Enjoy them with a simple dipping sauce for an irresistible treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine American, Italian-Inspired

Servings 4

Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

• 3 shallow dishes or plates
• Baking Sheet
• Parchment paper
• Whisk
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Small bowl (for dipping sauce)
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Oven
• Olive oil sprayer

Ingredients

  

• 2 medium zucchini, cut into fries
• ½ cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Olive oil spray
• ½ cup mayonnaise for dipping sauce
• 2 tablespoons ketchup for dipping sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard for dipping sauce
• ½ teaspoon paprika for dipping sauce
• Pinch of garlic powder for dipping sauce

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Wash and dry the zucchini thoroughly. Trim off the ends and cut into fry-shaped pieces (3-4 inches long, 1/2 inch thick).
• Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Dredge each zucchini fry in flour, shaking off excess.
• Dip the floured zucchini fry into the beaten eggs, letting excess drip off.
• Press the zucchini fry into the Parmesan cheese mixture, ensuring it’s completely coated.
• Place the breaded zucchini fry on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Repeat steps for all zucchini fries.
• Lightly spray the breaded zucchini fries with olive oil spray.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through.
• While the fries are baking, prepare the dipping sauce (if using) by combining mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, paprika, and a pinch of garlic powder in a small bowl. Mix well and adjust seasonings to taste.
• Remove the zucchini fries from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
• Serve immediately with the dipping sauce (if desired).
• Enjoy!

Notes

For crispier fries, don’t overcrowd the baking sheet and ensure zucchini is dry before breading. To prevent burning, monitor closely during baking. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and panko breadcrumbs. Spice it up by adding cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best results.